GMG (Global Motorsports Group Inc) means business, especially when it comes to building notably efficient BMWs. The company offers complete performance tuning and also boasts an impressive motorsports team, actively involved in Speed World Challenge, Grand Am Cup and BMW CCA club racing. GMG's track experience funnels into everything from fabrication and application to the assembly of awe-inspiring street cars.
The concept for this car was simple: Build a lightweight E46 M3 in the tradition of BMW's lightweight E36. A factory version of the LWT E46 wasn't available to North American customers. Not incidentally, GMG is very fond of the lighter E36 M3, having posted a perfect record of 22 wins in 22 starts in BMW CCA club racing from 1999-2001 (ec, 02/00).
GMG's special-order E46 LWT, one of only five in the country, arrived with a curb weight of only 3,275 lb. GMG shaved an additional 200 to 250 lb with the use of lightweight aftermarket seats and wheels.
The stock 333-bhp, 3.2-liter engine received European BMW Motorsport exhaust manifolds, a center pipe with cats and muffler. It was also fitted with a GMG carbon intake. Built for strength and reliability, GMG claims a conservative increase of 30 to 35 bhp. Various carbon cosmetics manufactured exclusively for GMG complete the engine package.
The gearbox, driveshaft and differential received a Rogue Engineering short shifter, GMG lightweight 11-lb aluminum flywheel, Sachs sport clutch, BMW Motor-sport 3.91 limited slip, Tecmark diff cooler, and a GMG carbon-fiber driveshaft (roughly 55% lighter than the stock unit).
Configured for street/clubsport performance, the suspension consists of Koni coilover shocks and Intrax springs, GMG Cup (29mm front and 24mm rear) hollow swaybars and numerous Tecmark tweaks to the links and bushings. Traction is guaranteed with the use of sticky BFGoodrich KDs, mated with lightweight BBS GT three-piece racing wheels (9.5x18; 10.5x18). The brakes sport Brembo rotors, Pagid Racing pads and stainless-steel lines. Extra cooling is from Tecmark's custom cooling ducts.
Aerodynamically, the car is whisper smooth, incorporating a GMG carbon-fiber front splitter and a custom-fabricated belly panel, located between the axles.
Performance and reliability are often in conflict. GMG's goal is to set that right.